HMForces.co.uk

Joining Up >> Browse Articles >> Armed Forces Jobs Overview

Army Jobs Overview

Step 6: Get the Best Job

Army Jobs Overview

There are a huge range of job roles and trades in the Army. Below is a summary of what is available in the different fields.

British Army Combat
British Army Engineering
British Army Logistics and Support
British Army Intelligence, IT and Comms
British Army HR and Finance
British Army Medical
British Army Music and Ceremonial

British Army Combat

Army Air Corps Soldier This role involves defending and refuelling and re-arming the Army’s battlefield helicopters, as well as driving and maintaining the Land Rovers and Large Goods Vehicles used by the Army Air Corps.

Army Air Corps Officer (Pilot) This role involves flying the Army’s helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in support of its operations around the world. This can involve directly attacking the enemy, providing air support for ground troops, airlifting troops and supplies or evacuating casualties.

Gunner AS90 This role involves driving, maintaining and firing the AS90 self-propelled gun. Once in the field the gunners actually live in the vehicle and they need to be fit as the shells weigh 43kg. They also need to be IT literate to work the onboard computer systems

Gunner High Velocity Missile This role involves working with High Velocity Missiles (HVM) that destroy helicopters and low flying aircraft. They work as part of a four man team to maintain the equipment, operate hi-tech radio and data communication equipment and to find the best location for this mobile weapon.

Gunner Light Gun The light gun can be quickly moved around the battlefield by helicopter or vehicles to provide close artillery support. This role involves being part of a six-man crew that maintain and operate the gun and prepare the ammunition. It requires good physical fitness and computer skills.

Gunner Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) The MLRS is a very mobile rocket launcher that fires its rockets from a concealed hide before quickly relocating to avoid detection by the enemy. This role involves working in a three person crew, driving, firing and maintaining the MLRS and working the on-board computers and communications equipment.

Gunner Observation Post (OP) Assistant This role involves using modern surveillance and targeting systems to identify enemy targets and then accurately call in artillery fire. It also involves driving and maintaining the Warrior armoured vehicle.

Gunner Radar Operator This role involves locating enemy positions and tracking enemy fire using sophisticated radar equipment as part of a six man crew. Depending on the battlefield terrain the crew will be located in either tracked or wheeled vehicles.

Gunner Rapier This role involves controlling and firing the Rapier – a very advanced air-defence missile system. The Rapier team use sophisticated equipment to track and identify enemy aircraft, prepare the missiles and drive the support vehicles.

Gunner Sound Ranging This role involves using hi-tech equipment to pinpoint the sound of enemy guns and mortar in order to identify their location. This involves using and maintaining the equipment as well as safely passing on information using digital communication systems.

Gunner Special Observer This role involves working ahead of the front line in small teams to seek out enemy units and send information back to direct fire on specific targets. This requires specialist training in endurance, escape and evasion as well as using a variety of high-tech equipment.

Gunner UAV Observer This role involves preparing, and with experience, controlling unmanned spy planes that send images back from enemy locations. This requires complete knowledge of the UAV in order to complete the pre-flight checks and recovery process.

Infantry – Anti-Tank Missile Operator This is a specialist role involving extensive training in operating the latest anti-tank missile technology that is so important on the battlefield.

Infantry – Assault Pioneer This role involves creating hazards for the enemy such as barbed-wire entanglements and minefields as well as making safe any obstacles or hazards left by the enemy.

Infantry – Driver This role involves transporting troops, equipment and supplies and requires skills for driving a wide range of vehicles such as Land Rovers, Saxon APC’s or Warrior AFV’s.

Infantry – Drummer, Piper, Bugler, GPMG SF This role involves training in a specific instrument to play a part in regimental traditions. However, they are primarily trained as soldiers and they also form the General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) Sustained Fire (SF) platoon.

Infantry – Signaller This role requires the ability to use and understand digital technology to ensure that critical information is passed around the battlefield without it being intercepted by the enemy.

Infantry – IT Specialist This role involves maintaining the Local Area Network (LAN) that ensures secure communications about the continuing changes on the battlefield.

Infantry – Mortarman This role provides ‘mini-artillery’ and involves both the identification of enemy targets and hitting those targets with high explosive, smoke and illuminating ammunition.

Infantry Platoon Commander This role involves leading a rifle platoon of 32 soldiers on operations and maintaining the platoon’s effectiveness as a fighting unit. This can be in the Light Role Infantry, Armoured Infantry, Mechanised Infantry or Air Assault Infantry.

Infantry – Recce Soldier This role often works in advance of the other troops to feedback information about the enemy troops or the terrain. They also call for targeted fire power based on the information they have gathered.

Royal Artillery Troop Commander This role involves leading a troop of 30 soldiers and their equipment on a range of possible activities, including providing air defence to back up and protect other troops, or locating and attacking enemy targets.

Royal Armoured Corps Troop Commander This role involves leading 12 soldiers and their vehicles in specific roles ranging from high speed reconnaissance to taking on enemy targets in a Challenger 2 tank. This involves quick decision making in a constantly changing environment.

Tank Crewman This role involves being part of small team in charge of either a Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank or Scimitar Light Tank. The crew drive these high speed tanks on the front line as well as operating the hi-tech systems for both combat and communications.

United Kingdom Special Forces (Reserve) Soldier To qualify for this role, recruits have to pass a tough 18 month training course and demonstrate commitment, determination and physical prowess. After completing a parachute course they take on a specialised surveillance and reconnaissance role.

Army Engineering
Army Logistics and Support
Army Intelligence, IT and Comms
Army HR and Finance
Army Medical
Army Music and Ceremonial

Or click on the page number below:

---